Top 10: Quarterback-Receiver Duos

Number 8

Joe Namath to Don Maynard

New York Jets

While passing for more than 4,000 yards has become common place in the NFL, Joe Namath was the first to do it. He surpassed 4,000 yards in his third AFL season in 1967, which was the same year that his favorite target, Don Maynard, output his best receiving total. Maynard was not a crisp route runner and was tabbed as an NFL reject, but he developed a keen chemistry with Namath.

Prime paired season: 1968Maynard had an outstanding game in the Jets penultimate game in the 1968 season, catching six passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns. One of his touchdowns was the game-winning score and helped the Jets advance to Super Bowl III, in which Joe Namath would guarantee — and make good on — a win over the Baltimore Colts.

Number 7

Johnny Unitas to Raymond Berry

Baltimore Colts

Raymond Berry had to wear special running shoes because one leg was shorter than the other, and while his speed was average, his hands more than made up for any inadequacies. Berry was a meticulous route runner and immediately became a favorite of Johnny Unitas when he arrived in 1956. Unitas was a touchdown machine, tossing at least one in 47 consecutive games, a feat that stands as one of the most difficult sports records to break. At the time of their retirement, Berry held a record 631 receptions and Unitas owned almost every passing record there was to have in the NFL.

Prime paired season: 1960In 1960, Unitas led the league in pass attempts, completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns and Berry reeled in a career-high 1,298 yards on 74 receptions, while also leading the league in both of those categories.

Number 6

Jim Kelly to Andre Reed

Buffalo Bills

Virtually every passing record in the history of the Buffalo Bills has Jim Kelly’s name beside it, and virtually every receiving record has Andre Reed’s name attached to it. In 11 seasons, Kelly finished as the franchise leader with 2,874 completions, 4,779 attempts, 35,467 passing yards, and 237 touchdowns; while Reed set records with 941 receptions, 13,095 yards and 86 touchdowns in his 15 seasons. Needless to say, in the 11 years they spent together, Reed was Kelly’s go-to guy in their explosive no-huddle offense.Prime paired season: 1991In 1991, Kelly passing to Reed ended in the end zone 10 times, a season-best for Reed, en route to the Bills’ second of four Super Bowl losses from 1990 to 1993.

It took 20 years for Peyton Manning to come along and break which Dan Marino record?